If the Farmer’s Almanac is right this year, we are in for another cold and snowy winter here in Montana. Schulte Law Firm sees a lot of clients who have unfortunately encountered car crashes driving in our harsh winter conditions and get injured. To help keep you as safe as possible, we’ve made a list of our top things to do before Montana winter hits:

Winterize your car – top off your fluids, put in cold temp antifreeze, make sure yourbattery works and that your wipers are good. Consider an engine block heater if you park outside. They’re not just for diesels anymore and can help your car ease into a cold weather start.

Check the DOT cameras – if you’re driving anywhere outside of town or over a pass, check the Montana DOT webcams to see what type of conditions you’re likely to encounter. Here are quick links to Lookout, MacDonald, and Homestake Pass.

Improve your visibility – clear off snow and ice off your windows and hood completely. If you don’t have daytime running lights, turn on your headlights. Clear excess snow away from your exhaust pipe if you are stopped.

Practice driving – go to a big parking lot before it gets plowed and sanded and give your car a test drive on ice. This might sound like something you did in driver’s ed, but if you specifically feel how your car handles on ice, you will know what to expect. We’re not talking about spinning donuts, but the point is to learn how to respond when you hit a patch of ice so you can feel prepared and stay safer in the moment.

Montana winter driving requires us to slow down. Negligent driving can contribute to the chances of getting in a crash, even if it’s not you and it was the other driver who is at fault. Even if you’re doing everything right and driving defensively like AAA recommends, you might still wind up the victim in a crash.

If that happens, make sure you assess if there are any injuries.

After you have called the police for help and gotten everyone to safety off the road, your next step is to call us here: 406-721-6655

Even minor wrecks can result in larger injuries than you might initially not feel. Let our team of experienced personal injury lawyers at Schulte Law Firm help you get through the details of your collision.

We can work with your insurance company and help you get back out on the road again safely. We will gladly help with your personal injury problems.